1,076 participants raise $630,000 in Underwear Affair benefiting BC Cancer Foundation
Saturday, July 9, 2011
By: The Vancouver Underwear Affair

Vancouverites bare it all in 10km run/5km walk for cancers "down there"

CONTACT
Borjana Slipicevic, Western PR Coordinator
bslipicevic@endcancer.ca
T: 778.233.9255

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 9, 2011 (Vancouver, B.C.) - The BC Cancer Foundation announced today that 1,076 participants raised $630,000 in the 6th annual Underwear Affair.

The BC Cancer Foundation will invest the funds in cancer research, prevention, and treatment programs at the BC Cancer Agency. Currently nearly 48 per cent of all newly diagnosed cancer cases in B.C. are “underwear cancers”  - cancers that occur below the waist.

The Affair kicked off with an extravagant costume contest at Seaforth Armoury and wrapped up with the EXPOsed after- party, where participants let loose on the dance floor and celebrated  their fundraising efforts.

“A huge thank you to the 1,076 participants who took part in this year’s Underwear Affair. Cancers below the waist are often overlooked and under funded, and this event raises much-needed awareness and funds for research,” said Douglas Nelson, President and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation. ”Your dollars will go directly to improve outcomes for B.C. cancer patients and help build a world free from cancer.”

Dr. Sharlene Gill, medical oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency said, “Your support will help us evaluate patient treatments and outcomes and tell us where we most need to focus our efforts. It will improve patients’ access to clinical trials, which provide the opportunity to participate in improving cancer care for everyone. Without you, these efforts would not be possible!” 

“This cause is close to my heart: I lost my father to prostate cancer in 2008,” said Kate Robinson, a 10k runner in the Underwear Affair.  “My mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in September and beat it. My life has been strongly shaped by cancer and I’ve had enough. Running in costume with my friends is fun—and I know I’m doing my part to ensure no one else has to lose someone they love to this terrible disease.”

Proceeds from The Underwear Affair will benefit the BC Cancer Foundation, to fund leading-edge research at the BC Cancer Agency that has a direct impact on improvements to care for B.C. patients.  With cancer incidence and mortality rates lower in B.C. than any other province in Canada, the BC Cancer Agency is a model for cancer care and control around the world. The BC Cancer Agency is leading the way in uncovering cures that will put cancers below the waist behind us.

Don’t miss out on the most fun you can have with your clothes (mostly) on!

For more information or to join The Underwear Affair in 2012 visit www.uncoverthecure.org or call 604/734/CURE (2873).

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About The BC Cancer Foundation
The BC Cancer Foundation (www.bccancerfoundation.com) is the bridge that connects philanthropic support and research breakthroughs in cancer knowledge. As the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency and the largest charitable funder of cancer research in this province, we enable donors to make contributions to leading-edge research that has a direct impact on improvements to cancer care for patients in British Columbia. We fund with the goal of finding solutions. As an independent charitable organization, we raise funds exclusively for the BC Cancer Agency that support innovative cancer research and compassionate enhancements to patient care.

About The BC Cancer Agency
The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. For more information, visit www.bccancer.ca.